lovely countryside. • The stunning natural environment in Limnionas bay (5.5 km SW). • Kampi (7 km NW), a village built at the foot of the steep Schiza rock offering a spectacular sunset view. There is a Mycenaean burial ground nearby with carved caves. • Koiliomenos or Agios Nikolaos (7 km SE – elevation: 480 m.), a traditional 16th century village; visit the impressive Agios Nikolaos’ church belfry (1893). On your way to Lagopodo across a green area you can visit the “Orchid Garden” containing 42 orchid species that grow on the island. • Machairado (14 km SE), Zante’s largest village, second to Katastari, with a traditional architectural style. There are noteworthy churches such as the 14th-century Agia Mavra church with a Venetian bell tower and the 14thcentury Ypapanti’s Church which was recently damaged by fire and restoration works are on the way. About 4 km E. of the village you can visit the Koumoutos Estate where top quality organic wine and olive oil are produced on the 60 hectares of land. (tel: 26950-92.284).
Activities
• Swimming at Limnionas and Porto Roxa. • Hiking. Mount Vrachionas offers some pretty interesting walks: from Loucha village (4 km NW) to Koiliomenos through Yperagathos Monastery and towards Maries; from Gyri village (6.5 km NW) towards Agia Marina and from Exo Chora village (4.7 km N) to Kampi.
South
Argasi 7 Argasi lies at the foot of Mount Skopos and it is a busy and popular seaside resort. The village’s popular beach features a 19th-century stone bridge and the ruins of a medieval castle. From June 1st to October 31st, after sunset, it is forbidden to camp or remain within the greater seaside area of Argasi’s beach or anywhere around cosmopolitan Vasilikos resort (11 km S.), as lights and noise seriously disturb the egg-laying patterns of the sea turtles. Distance from the capital: 4 km. SE.
ZAKYNTHOS
77. The Navagio (shipwreck) beach; among the most famous in the Mediterranean.
83